What remains of hugs which are bound to be extinct
What remains of hugs which are bound to be extinct, 2022
Scented plaster casts of Atlantic Forest tree trunks, olfactory reconstructions of four endangered native orchid species (Cattleya labiata, Miltonia regnellii, Cattleya aclandiae, Zygopetalum crinitum), captured using headspace technology (Scent Trek)
Exhibition view at the Museum of the Brazilian House and Galeria Ibirapitanga - São Paulo, Brazil
"The Atlantic Forest is one of the most biodiverse biome in the world. Among its characteristics, the presence of a great diversity of epiphytes stands out, meaning plants that live on other plants without causing any harm to them, as is the case with orchids that live attached to tree trunks and branches.
Since the colonization of Brazil, the Atlantic Forest has been extensively devastated, with numerous species already extinct, while others are at risk of extinction. Currently, only 12.4% of its original forest remains in Brazil.
In the artwork presented at the Museum of the Brazilian House, the artist and olfactory researcher Karola Braga encourages reflections on environmental preservation and introduces the scent of four orchids that are threatened with extinction: Cattleya labiata, Miltonia regnellii, Cattleya aclandiae, and Zygopetalum crinitum.
During expeditions in the Atlantic Forest, using a Scent Trek (headspace) - a technology used in the perfume industry - it was possible to reproduce the aroma of four orchids native to the Atlantic Forest that are on the red list of endangered species. This technology allows translating the true scents of natural environments without causing any harm to the environment.
